How To Get Mail Postmarked After Hours

Woman doing taxes with computer, IRS form 1040, and USPS Priority Mail envelope.

Mail Your Tax Return with USPS

Use the U.S. Postal Service^® to mail your tax return, get proof that you mailed it, and track its arrival at the IRS.

Federal Tax Deadline
The IRS considers a tax return filed on time if it is addressed correctly, has enough postage, and is postmarked by the due date.

October 15, 2021: Federal tax return extension deadline
April 15, 2022: Federal tax return filing deadline for tax year 2021

Check Post Office Hours

Woman doing taxes with computer, IRS form 1040, and USPS Priority Mail envelope.

Send to the Correct Address
Check the IRS website for where to mail your tax return. Write both the destination and return addresses clearly or print your mailing label and postage.
Where to Send Paper Tax Returns
Use Correct Postage
Weigh your envelope and apply the right amount of postage. Most tax returns are several pages long and weigh more than 1 oz. Tax returns sent without enough postage will be returned.
Meet the Postmark Deadline
If your tax return is postmarked by the filing date deadline, the IRS considers it on time. Mail your return in a USPS blue collection box or at a Postal location that has a pickup time before the deadline. Some Post Office^™ locations offer extended hours and late postmarking for tax filers. Call a Post Office near you to find out if it will be open late on tax day.
Find USPS Locations

For added peace of mind, you can buy a Certificate of Mailing at the Post Office. A Certificate of Mailing is a proof of mailing receipt that proves you mailed your tax return on a certain date. After you send your taxes, keep your receipt in a safe place. The Postal Service® does not keep copies of receipts. If your return is delayed or lost, the postmark will not be available, but your Certificate of Mailing receipt will prove that you mailed your return on time.

Certificate of Mailing Service

These mailing services apply a postmark to your return. If your return is postmarked by the IRS deadline date, it is considered on time. With Click-N-Ship^®, you can pay for postage online and print a shipping label from your own computer. Generating a Click-N-Ship label with postage creates an electronic record for the label on that specific date, so it is important that you send your package on the shipping date you used to create the label. Your online Click-N-Ship account will save your shipping history for six months.

Print a Shipping Label

Priority Mail Express^®

1−2 business day delivery
USPS Tracking^® included
Eligible for Click-N-Ship

Priority Mail^®

1−3 business day delivery
USPS Tracking^® included
Eligible for Click-N-Ship
Eligible for Certificate of Mailing

First−Class Mail^®

1−3 business day delivery
Extra services available
Eligible for Certificate of Mailing

IRS Tips & Help

The Postal Service^® recommends that you confirm all tax information with a tax professional or the IRS.

Visit the IRS Website